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I've noticed lots of people when reading scripture tend to feel bad for Cain (as opposed to Abel) because he was unable to please God with his sacrifices. They ask, " gee, why didn't God help him by giving him a tip on how to do it correctly?" But they overlook the fact that Cain killed Abel.

Good thought, bro. The same sentiment seems to hold true regarding many murder cases I've noticed. There just seems to be such an overwhelming plea on behalf of the injustice of taking the life of the one who killed the victim. And yeah, I've found myself feeling way more sympathy for the perpetrator — usually to the exclusion of the same for the victim — which of course, is the intended purpose of the defense.

I also think your hunch about our connection to Abel is quite insightful. :)

Why didn't Genesis record that God perhaps did give Cain the right "tip"....irregardless if he did or didn't we can rest assured of one thing. Whatever God judges is righteous.

I always feel sorry for the bad guy, because I know I am really no different than him....but for some mysterious reason God revealed his truth to me...what a mystery....what grace.

So often I hear Christians asking, "What about the good moral person...." I think Jesus pretty much answered that question when he exposed the religious leaders of his days that were so highly respected by the masses. The good moral appearing religious leaders already hated Jesus cause he cleaned out his father's temple from the merchant crowd and then exposed the religious elites that they were full of dead men's bones who neither believed him nor Moses whom they claimed to derive their authority...the very Moses who spoke of the messiah to come.

Point being.....there are no good moral people. You are either in Christ or you are not. Why he chose and who he chose is a mystery that only God knows. Ever so often, God gives me the opportunity to be his messenger to others. What a priviledge.

"We are not on the road to success...we are on the success road." Coach Frosty Westering